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Empowering young Alberta hockey players to end gender-based violence

Players to access Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters education program
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The Canadian Women’s Foundation will fund upcoming training sessions for the Alberta Junior Hockey League to participate in the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters’ Leading Change program, Building Leaders in Violence Prevention. (File photo)

Young Alberta hockey players will be able to participate in training to help end gender-based violence.

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) has announced that the Canadian Women’s Foundation will fund upcoming training sessions for the Alberta Junior Hockey League to access the council’s Leading Change program, Building Leaders in Violence Prevention.

Sessions will be conducted with each of the 16 Alberta Junior Hockey League member teams in the 2022-23 season.

The council said sessions will provide the young players with the tools they need to begin leading the change to end domestic violence and abuse and contribute to a larger culture change.

“ACWS’ Leading Change program is unique in that it is strengths-based and designed to chip away at the root causes of gender-based violence, one workshop at a time. When we connect young people with this important message, they can become champions for ending gender-based violence, carrying that message forward,” said Jan Reimer, council executive director, in a statement.

Related:

Growing demand for the Red Deer women’s shelter points to more cases of domestic abuse

“We know that women, girls, and Two Spirit, trans and non-binary people are at highest risk of experiencing gender-based violence, and we are committed to seeing those numbers drop. The training ACWS provides to athletic teams can spark vital culture change around sexual violence and sports,” said Ann Decter, senior director of community initiatives and policy with the foundation.

Related:

‘Disheartening’: Alberta government promise to track domestic violence offenders lags

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters is also counting on sports fans who want to change the culture to support the initiative. The council is looking for more sponsors to support additional training with interested teams. Contact Chantal Cooknell at chantal.cooknell@acws.ca.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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